Rafael Espinoza vs Lorenzo Parra

I like Espinoza here, but Parra’s win over Elijah Pierce makes him a danger. That counter right hand carries spite, especially against someone who enjoys an exchange as much as Espinoza does.

Espinoza’s advantage is how much work he makes you do. He can occupy you with the jab, then bring uppercuts through the middle when you get close. Getting inside his reach doesn’t mean you’ve found somewhere comfortable.

Parra needs to draw the lead, land his right and move before the combinations come back. My concern is whether he can keep doing that under sustained pressure. Stopping Pierce early proved his finishing ability; it didn’t answer that question.

Espinoza gives opponents chances when he stays in punching range unnecessarily. Parra could catch him there, but I expect the Mexican’s body work and repeated uppercuts to take over.

I’m going for Espinoza by stoppage in the second half.